Make the Strap

You can use any color of your choice, but the best practice is to use the main color of the bag and strap, this will ensure that your finishing stitches do not show.

Chain the required stitches as allocated in the crochet bag pattern, then add the following number of chains, for the required length.

You can mark this chain with a stitch marker or a piece of string looped through the chain.

Below is a length indication that will assist you with common sizes for bag lengths, note the length indicated below is from the top left side of the top right side of the bag and does not include the length of the required first set of chains, as this is determined by the finished size of your bag side panels, and the number of stitches differ from pattern to pattern

Chain starting chain according to above mentioned required stitches

Row 1

Chain 1, 1 hdc stitch into each chain made, all he way to the first chain,ch1 turn,

Row 2

Ch1, 1 hdc into front two loops of next stitch, repeat for each stitch to end of row, 1 hdc into last stitch, ch1, turn

Row 3

Ch1, 1 hdc into front two loops of next stitch, repeat for each stitch to end of row, 1 hdc into last stitch,ch1, turn

Row 4

Ch1, RS - 1 hdc into front two loops of next stitch, repeat for each stitch to end of row, 1 hdc into last stitch, ch1, turn

Joining the bag

Join the two ends of the straps together with a simple sc stitch, or some yarn and a yarn needle, whichever you prefer.

Fig above shows the points mentioned in the tutorial below, and should be used in reference with any of my crochet tote bag patterns where indicated.

This will be ( D ) - on the diagram.

Join the strap to the panels.

You can use a stitch marker or a simple piece of leftover yarn,

On your front panel, mark the bottom middle point of the front panel. ( D )

When starting the strap, the pattern mentions the first amount of chain stitches to make, before you add your required length, divide this value in half, for eg, if it indicates 96 sts, then count 48 stitches from the join to the right of the strap. Mark this stitch with a marker. ( C )

Now count the same amount of stitches on your panel in the same direction as you did your strap, mark this stitch - this is where you will start to join the bag to the strap. ( C )

Count the same amount of stitches on your panel in the opposite direction as you on the panel before - this is where you will end up joining the strap to the bag, mark this stitch. ( B )

Place the panel and strap on top of each other front side facing inwards, and match up marker c, you will now join the bag with either 1 sc into each stitch, from point C to B passing by point D.

Repeat this for the back panel and the bag.

The right side of the bag will be in the inside out, so turn bag right side front